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Roi Kwabena - Birmingham's Poet Laureate 2001 - 2002

Roi Kwabena was born in Trinidad in 1956 and came to Britain in 1985 after political and cultural activity in his home country. As a poet, musician, storyteller, historian and publisher, Roi describes himself as a "cultural activist". He has performed with Hugh Masekela, Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Opai Adisa Palmer among others.

He has lectured, performed and conducted workshops in the Caribbean, Europe and Africa in universities, schools, libraries and other venues. His published work includes collections of poems and spoken word and music CDs in a distinctive style of dialogue, drama and rhythm.

He performed his poem about Birmingham, Location:Re for National Poetry Day in the Library Theatre and, on his appointment as Poet Laureate, was presented with a symbolic hammer and palette by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham.
He wrote a poem to commemorate National Holocaust Day 2002 and another to coincide with Birmingham's bid to be Capital of Culture in 2008.